When describing a particular disease or disorder, do you know whether to classify it as a mental health or behavioral health problem? Over the last few years, the classification of many disorders and diseases has come into question. The classification of behavioral health is not a new term within the medical field, but there are fewer stigmas attached to behavioral health compared to mental health. This has led many people to use the term behavioral health over mental health since some people consider the term behavioral health not as harsh, or more politically correct.
There are dozens, if not hundreds of articles online and in print that provide conflicting information, which further complicates how we classify many of the disorders and diseases such as depression or anxiety. At Peak View Behavioral Health Colorado Springs, the main focus remains caring for and helping our patients get the help they need to get better.
Disorders and diseases related to mental health are often times biological or neurological issues a person is born with. To prevent these issues interfering with a person’s everyday life, most people seek treatment in order to manage these ongoing personal challenges.
Treatment for mental health disorders often looks different for each individual. However, evidence shows the most effective treatment occurs from a combination of appropriate therapeutic interventions in conjunction with medication management.
Below is a list of examples related to the field of Mental Health.
According to the experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Behavioral Health is classified as “a state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness. Behavioral health disorders include substance abuse or misuse, alcohol and drug addiction, serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental and substance use disorders.”
Medical conditions listed under Behavioral Health tend to fall under the personal decisions an individual makes or decisions others make that affect another person. These decisions can be prompted by significant life events such as getting injured in a car accident, losing the life of a family member or friend, getting made fun of in social situations, or another event that results in a person having a hard time managing their feelings and emotions.
A person struggling with his or her behavioral health may encounter:
While the debate may carry on as whether to classify a particular disorder or disease as mental health or behavioral health, we at Peak View Behavioral Health in Colorado Springs know the most important aspect of recovery is to understand the problem and provide proper treatment.
